American theater may not survive the coronavirus. We need help now | Jeremy O'Harris

During the Great Depression, FDR set up the Federal Theater Program to save our industry. We need similar help today

Recently, I was in a taxi and the driver asked me what I did. When I told him I'm a playwright, he looked back at me with true pity. I feel for you people. I'm real poor on money right now, like most cab drivers, but at least I can work ... for hospitality and the arts it's like the light just got turned off. It ain't right."

Related: The Guardian view on live art: irreplaceable energy | Editorial